Nag breakfast na kami at nakaligo na ako, Draken was still asleep! Hindi ko alam kung pagod ba talaga siya o he just missed sleeping since this is his home.
Hinayaan ko nalang siya kasi natuwa naman ako kasama mama niya. I am wearing a white knitted bralette top that shows my cleavage a little bit and brown square pants.
I am here at the pool area with Tita Kara and Mikky, the designer. Nakaupo lang kami sa upuan dito sa patio and there's also a table in front of us na mayroong juice and some snacks. Nahiya pa ako kanina nang pinakilala ako ni Tita sa kanya bilang girlfriend ni Dk and good thing mabait naman siya.
He even complimented me.
"Draken has a taste." she said. Nakaka overwhelmed naman talaga kapag yung bakla na mismo nag compliment sa'yo. "Since you have fair skin, I think dark colors will suit you." dagdag pa niya at binigay sa akin ang isang brochure.
"Mikky is the best designer." nakangiting sabi ni Tita sa akin "You know the Tolentino sisters? Mikky designed their gowns."
Amusement crept into my face, hindi ko inexpect na makakausap ko ang mga ganitong klaseng tao! It was fun too.
"For sure Kara, your in-laws will invite the Tolentino. I can't wait to meet their youngest son also." si Mikky na tila parang excited pa.
Oh, the former UAAP player na girlfriend nung isang anak ng dating artista. I heard that news.
Pero seryoso may artista rin na pupunta sa party?!
"You're not used to this, Darling?" tanong ni Tita nang mapansin ang pananahimik ko. I nodded honestly.
"Draken was right, you were so honest." she muttered "Don't worry, we won't make you feel out of place okay? Ganyan rin kasi ako noon, after meeting Drake's family, I don't know what to do because I can't relate what they would say."
I nodded "Thank you, tita." sabi ko at ningitian siya.
"Anything for you, my love." she smiled back "Now choose a gown."
Habang pumipili ako sa brochure, nag-uusap naman sila dalawa about something or issue ata sa industry nila. Not until, Tita Kara mentioned her three daughters.
"Did the three already choose a gown?" tanong niya kay Mikky.
"Ay nako, Kara, si Thrai lang tumawag sa akin and she said the two already brought something sa isang fashion show."
You'll get used to it, Daphne. Just brace yourself.
"The two probably did it for endorsement." Tita Kara shook her head at aksidenteng napatingin sa sout ko "Omo! Is that a knitted top?"
I nodded shyly "I did it on my own."
"So alam mo paano mag crochet?" tanong ni Mikky, nahihiya man, tumango pa rin ako. "That was nice!"
"You're right!" pag agree pa ni Tita Kara.
Her eyes lit up with delight as she examined my crocheted top with careful attention. "Ang ganda tingnan. You really crochet?" Her words of praise filled me with a sense of pride, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of joy at her appreciation for my handiwork.
As Tita continued to express her admiration, her enthusiasm was contagious. I found myself smiling more brightly, my earlier shyness melting away in the face of such genuine encouragement.
"That was fantastic, Daphne." she exclaimed "Can you make one for me?"
"Sure, tita." pagsang-ayon ko kaagad "Pero huwag mo po ako bigyan ng deadline, ma pressure ako."
And they both laughed, nahawa na rin tuloy ako sa tawa nila. Plus points na naman ako sa pamilya ng boyfriend kong tulog pa rin.
"Maiba nga tayo.." si Mikky at nakangising tinignan ako, bigla tuloy ako kinabahan kasi alam kong ako ang tatanungin nito. "So how's Draken in bed, Daphne?"
Puta..
"P-po?" I even stuttered! I blinked twice because her question caught me off guard.
"Hearing that sends shivers to my spine!" si Tita sabay tingin sa akin "But I want to hear it too. My son's already an adult and for sure, he has his desires. Even when he was 18, I know he did some naughty things."
"Alvarez men are good in bed, Daphne." Mikky affirmed
Tita Kara nodded in agreement "I can prove to you that, look at me now, I have four children but still have an active sex life."
"I'm living for this conversation!" tawang tawa na sabi ni Mikky.
"He's a monster." tipid kong sagot na ikinatawa nila, they are really so invested in this topic.
"They are really wreckers." she whispered, I nodded in agreement bago tumingin ulit sa brochure, dahil sa kadaldalan nila nakalimutan ko nang pumipili pa pala ako ng gown.
After three minutes, pinakita ko kaagad kay Mikky ang gusto kong gown, I also suggested something since sabi niya baka may gusto akong e change or what. Sinusukatan na niya rin ako as well as Tita Kara and then after some chika ulit nagpaalam na siya kasi may appointment pa daw ito.
Pagpasok namin sa sala ay siyang pagbaba rin ni Dk sa hagdan na halatang kakagising lang dahil sa gulo ng buhok. It reminded me what happened last night, how I mess his hair.
Kahit nakapikit nang konti ang mga mata nagawa niya pa ring maglakad papalapit sa akin at niyakap ako.
Hindi ba to nabalutan nang hiya?!
"Son you should eat breakfast, bakit ba ang late mo nagising." ani Tita Kara, kumalas naman sa yakap si Draken saka kinusot kusot ang mata
"Baka pagod na pagod talaga ako, ma." he said meaningfully
"Good thing I don't have work to do so I accompany Daphne here!" Tita exclaimed "Now eat your breakfast, I need to go to your dad's office." dagdag niya at kinuha ang bag. Pinanood lang namin siya lumabas ng bahay hanggang sa mawala na siya sa tingin namin.
Napatingin naman si Dk sa akin habang hawak ang bewang ko "Hindi naman OA si mama?"
Mahina kong tinampal ang dibdib niya "I had fun with your mom." sagot ko "Kung bat kasi ang late mo nagising."
He clicked his tongue and leaned his mouth into my ear "Daphie, I did all the work last night."
I rolled my eyes "Mahina ka pala e."
"Mahina?" he scoffed "Eh sino unang nag passed out sa atin? I even put clothes on-"
To shut him up, I gave him a smack kiss on his lips "Just shut up and eat your breakfast, we still have an itinerary." I said and gave him my sweetest smile.
Tumiklop naman kaagad ang loko at napangiti na rin "Okay, my Daphie." he muttered "Pero one last thing."
"Hmm?" I asked, nabigla ako nang mabilis niya ako hinalikan sa labi. Tumagal pa iyon nang ilang segundo bago ako bumitaw. "Sumosobra ka na."
"Na adik ako sa labi mo." he said honestly "Can we just stay here and kiss all the time?" he asked and even pouted. I find it cute kaya niyakap ko siya sa bewang, he encircled his arms on my waist too.
Aakalain talaga ng nakakita sa amin naglalandian kami! Our bodies are too close.
"Pwede namang mag kiss tayo sa pupuntahan natin." pagbibiro ko but it sounds exciting.
His eyes lift up "Talaga? Even making out?" tingnan mo nga naman, mukha pa siyang excited.
"Siguro." ngumisi ako
"Kahit quickie?"
Napawi na ang ngisi ko ang mahina siyang sinampal "Tigilan mo'ko." asik ko, akmang bibitaw na ako sa yakapan namin nang pinigilan niya ako.
"I should consider using my tinted car right now, even bigger." he muttered, yung mukha niya parang nag-iisip talaga kaya hindi ko mapigilan matawa "Fortuner or SUV? Dapat yung masasakay mo talaga-"
"Drazen Knox!" bulyaw ko para tumahimik na siya "Baka may makarinig."
He grinned and kissed my lips again "Okay, I'll shut up, Daphie." he muttered "Nakakabusog halik mo."
"Wala ka na ba talaga ibang mapupuna kundi labi ko?"
"Edi ang ibabang labi-"
"Shut up!"
"Okay, love." he said sweetly "Ang ganda mo today." sabi niya na parang hindi ako inaasar bago pa lang. "You're the prettiest woman that I've seen." he said softly,reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face.
Biglang naman nag init ang pisnge ko sa sudden compliment pero kahit na ganoon nagawa ko pa rin siya tingnan sa mata.
"Ang gulo ng buhok mo."
Napasimangot siya kasi hindi ganoong salita ang inaasahan niyang marinig mula sa akin. I laughed at his reaction.
"Okay fine, I'll let you say that kasi totoo naman." he just said and sighed. "It's our first day today, we should make it memorable."
I nodded in agreement "Base sa itinerary ko, Enchanted kingdom tayo this afternoon."
"Sounds exciting."
"Kaya mag breakfast ka na at maligo."
***
"Gago tinototoo nga." sambit ko nang makita ang isang black SUV sa harap ng bahay nila nang makalabas kami.
"My claustrophobia can't handle the sports car." katuwiran pa ni Draken at hinawakan ang kamay ko.
I am still wearing my white knitted bralette top and I change my lower into a black knee length maxi skirt, I also paired it with my white shoes. Meanwhile, Draken is wearing a simple black button down shirt na naka tuck in white pants with his expensive shoes.
Today we'll go to the Enchanted Kingdom. I heard may fireworks din daw kasi doon mamayang gabi. Siyempre dahil Manila naman ito at hindi Bukidnon, may guards na susunod sa amin, to be led by Roman.
It took us about two hours bago kami nakarating doon. Hindi naman ako na bored habang nag biyahe kami kasi nagkwentuhan kami ni Dk. As we entered the Enchanted Kingdom, my heart fluttered with anticipation.
"Where should we go first?" I asked habang iginala ang paningin sa paligid, may iba't ibang stalls pa ng pagkain but I won't eat it kasi baka masusuka ko lang kapag nahihilo ako sa rides.
"How about we start with the Roller Skater?" Dk suggested while squeezing my hand gently.
"That sounds fun." I grinned. Kaya excited kaming naglakad patungo sa line. Some of the people in the line are a group of friends and then some couples.
"They're from Tift." bulong ni Dk sa akin at ininguso ang dalawang students na naka uniform sa harap namin.
"Ang layo ng narating." sabi ko at napailing nalang.
Buti nalang at mabilis naman umusad ang linya at hindi kami natagalan sa paghintay. Since it's our first ride, hindi naman nakakahilo tuwang tuwa pa nga kami.
Buti nalang kapag talaga usapang adventure, magkakasundo kami ni Draken. We just love to try and experience new things.
After the Roller Skater, matapang kaming pumunta sa Space Shuttle. As we strapped ourselves in, hindi ko mapigilan hawakan siya sa kamay nang mahigpit.
"Handa ka na ba?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
I laughed "Rated Korina yarn." I mocked
"Sino yan? Friend mo?" inosente pa niyang tanong dahilan para mas lalo pa akong matawa nang malakas.
As the ride launched us into the air, we both screamed our lungs out, clinging to each other as we looped through the sky.
Sunod naman kaming pumunta sa Agila: The EKsperience. Nasa labas pa lang kami ng dome ay nag picture taking na kami, buti nalang at nandito sila Roman sa isang sulok lang kaya may photographer na rin kami.
"I've heard this is amazing," I said, looking up at the massive dome.
"It's supposed to be like flying over the Philippines." he said, smiling down at me. Inside, we marveled at the breathtaking views, pointing out landmarks and laughing together.
With each turn of our seats, we were transported to different regions of the country, experiencing the rich diversity of landscapes and cultures. We laughed and pointed out familiar landmarks, feeling like we were truly flying over the Philippines
It was totally a great experience!
After that, sumakay na naman kami sa iba pang rides at naglaro na rin ng mga carnival games tulad ng dart throwing, basketball shooting, and ring tossing. Nang mapagod napaupo nalang ako sa isang bench while Draken had to buy some food.
Hindi ko mapigilan mapasimangot nang makitang habang nag line si Dk ay may isang babaeng lumapit sa kanya na parang kilala ito.
"Ayun nakipagbeso pa nga." napailing nalang ako.
"Madami talagang kilala dito si Sir Draken, ma'am."
Napaigtad ako nang marinig ang boses ni Kuya Roman sa gilid ng bench. Nakakagulat naman to!
"Sino yan, kuya roms?" tanong ko
"Baka kakilala sa school niya ma'am." sagot niya
I sighed "Hindi pala friendless ang lalaking to." sambit ko. After a few minutes nakabalik na rin si Dk dala ang dalawang cup ng smoothie and takoyaki tas corndog.
"Thank you." sabi ko nang inabot niya sa akin ang Takoyaki.
"Bakit nakasimangot ka kanina?" tanong niya sabay tusok ng straw sa smoothie.
"Napansin mo?" I asked while sipping the drink. Then he nodded and blew the corn dog. "Ah may kausap ka kasing babae, mukhang close mo yun."
Then his lips immediately formed into a grin "Ah nagseselos ang Daphie ko." he retorted "Hindi kami close nun, schoolmate ko lang."
Tama nga si Kuya Roman
Tumango ako at kinagat ang takoyaki "Nasa all girls school na following list mo ba yun?"
His eyebrows furrowed "All girls school? Following?" naguguluhan niyang tanong
"Nagmaang-maangan pa."
His mouth hung open when he finally understood it "Instagram ko?" tahimik akong tumango at kumagat ulit ng takoyaki kahit mainit pa.
Napakunot noo ako nang tahimik niyang inabot sa akin phone niya. "Aanhin ko yan?"
"Unfollow mo ang mga babaeng di mo bet sa following ko." aniya at nilagay sa palad ko ang phone. Hindi ko inaasahan na gagawin niya ito pero hindi ko na rin pinalampas pa.
I opened his instagram and unfollowed the girls except for his sister, mom, and cousin o kaya mga kilala ko. Nakakuha na rin ako ng chance tingnan ang gallery niya para icheck ang photos namin kanina.
"We look so good here, sarap e post." sabi ko at pinakita sa kanya ang picture namin kanina na kumakain ng ice cream. May picture pa ako na siya ang kumuha! May smudge ng ice cream sa ibabaw ng labi ko, the photo is in wide and above angle, as in nasa taas ng noo ko kinuhanan ni Dk iyon kaya mukha akong ewan.
And he still finds it cute!
"Pwede naman e post ah, what's stopping you?"
"I don't know, maybe the opinion of people around you?" sagot ko "Ano nalang sasabihin nila pag nalamang girlfriend mo is just an average girl, not at the same level as you."
His gaze softened and his expression thoughtful as he considered my words. After a moment of silence, binaba niya muna ang hawak na smoothie at corn dog sa gilid and leaned forward to me while he looked into my eyes
"You're not just 'average' to me," he said firmly, his voice carrying a reassuring warmth. "You're extraordinary in ways that matter far more than superficial appearances or societal expectations."
His words made me feel better, yung parang kapag naglagay ka ng ointment sa sugat nagle-lessen lang yung sakit. I was really thankful for how he was backing me up and telling me nice things. Pero hindi pa rin mawawala ang pag-alala ko sa kung ano iisipin ng ibang tao kaya tinanong ko ulit siya
"Paano nalang yung iba?" My voice still sounded unsure, like I was stuck on the same question.
Then he held my hand and squeezed it gently "Their opinion doesn't define us." he said casually "They're just a bunch of nosy people. What matters right now is how we feel about each other, and the strength of our connection."
I nodded, finally getting the assurance that I wanted.
"So stop worrying will you?" aniya "And if you're worried about some things kahit ano pa yan, sabihin mo sa akin."
Tumango ako "Hindi naman ako mahilig magkimkim." pagpaparinig ko
"Hey, I already learned how to express my feelings." sagot niya na parang siya ang pinaparinggan ko.